ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Finance
Cessation of 7.75 percent Savings  Bonds, 2018
The Government of India hereby notifies that the 7.75 percent Savings  Bonds, 2018, issued as per Notification F.4-B/2017, dated January 03, 2018, shall cease for subscription with effect from the close of banking business on Thursday, the 28th of May, 2020.
Ministry of Power
International workshop by BEE on “Energy Efficient Cooling”
The Workshop Aims to promote development and deployment of Energy Efficient Cooling Systems
As part of “Energy Conservation Week”, being celebrated from 9th to 14th December 2019, Bureau of Energy Efficiency , a statuary body under the Ministry of Power, conducted an International Workshop on 12-13th December 2019 on “Energy Efficient Cooling” at Scope Convention Centre, New Delhi. The two-day international workshop was organised in association with International Energy Agency  under SEAD initiative of Clean Energy Ministerial .
Commenting on the development and implementation of cooling sector, policies and programmes, Secretary, Ministry of Power, Govt. of India, Shri Sanjiv Sahai, said,” The rising demand for space cooling in buildings, vehicles and cold chain sector is a challenge to be addressed. There is a need to have effective policies and schemes in this sector for deployment of new efficient technologies. BEE has been implementing initiatives towards promoting Energy Efficient Cooling and has conducted several studies for developing policy framework in new sectors like Cold Chain.”
The workshop served as a platform for global experts, industries, and policy makers to explore opportunities to accelerate deployment of on energy efficient cooling, across different sectors and establishments. Objective of the workshop was to chart out steps towards accelerating the development and deployment of efficient cooling appliances, equipment and systems. It helped to explore policies, technologies, innovation, new approaches and business models across space cooling and cold chains. The event highlighted action plans, international best policy practices, measures to stimulate innovation and deliberations on steps forward. These initiatives and knowledge sharing sessions help in framing best policies and support industry bodies to adopt technologies from across the globe.
The workshop was attended by various delegates involving regulatory bodies, policy makers, Govt. officials, PSUs, etc. from across the world. Different sessions were attended by officials and experts from different international bodies related to Energy Efficient Cooling. The thoughtful discussions were very fruitful and acted as platform for the stakeholders to adopt new technologies and policy frameworks for an Energy Efficient Cooling environment. The two-day event also witnessed an exhibition showcasing new and innovative technologies in Energy Efficient Cooling sector. The objective of such initiatives is to reduce energy intensity in the country by optimizing energy demand and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases  which are responsible for global warming and climate change. India has committed to reduce 33-35% of GHG emission by 2030 as part of document submitted to UNFCCC.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
India and Bangladesh hold Commerce Secretary Level Meeting in New Delhi
Significant progress made on multimodal connectivity between India and Bangladesh
Joint study on India-Bangladesh CEPA to be finalized soon
The Commerce Secretary level meeting between India and Bangladesh was held in New Delhi on 4th March 2022. The Indian delegation was led by Commerce Secretary, Government of India, Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam and the Bangladesh delegation was led by Senior Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of Bangladesh, Mr. Tapan Kanti Ghosh.
Both sides held extensive discussions on a variety of issues of mutual interest, including development of railway infrastructure, port infrastructure, Joint Study on Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement , Border Haats, Regional connectivity through Multi-Modal Transportation, Harmonization of Standards, Mutual Recognition Agreement.
Of the many issues discussed, progress on the following agenda items was appreciated by the delegation of both the countries: -
· Significant growth in the bilateral trade between the two countries in recent years -Bangladesh is the 6th largest trade partner of India.
· For facilitation of trade between India-Bangladesh through railways
a) For developing container handling facility at Sirajganj Bazar a Detailed Project Proposal  approved.
b) For running freight trains between India-Bangladesh, 900 metre new siding line constructed at Benapole.
c) For allowing import of all commodities from India by rail via Darsana, the construction of loading and unloading platform completed at Darshana.
d) For development of Rail and Road based ICD at Ishwardi, the DPP approved.
· Consensus over the use of returning empty railway wagons/containers by Bangladesh - this would reduce overall logistics cost of India's exports to Bangladesh.
· Border Haats – the ones closed due to covid restriction would be opened soon
· 24x7 operationalization of Petrapole-Benapole Integrated Check Post  to be implemented soon
· Substantive progress made on ICP /Land Customs Stations
· Regional connectivity through multi-modal transport to be strengthened between the two countries.
· CEPA study to be finalized at the earliest
· CEO forum to have the first meeting soon
The meeting was preceded by the 14th meeting of the Joint Working Group  on Trade, at the level of Joint/Additional Secretaries of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt of India and Ministry of Commerce, Govt of Bangladesh on 2-3 March 2022 in New Delhi. Comprehensive discussions were held on various areas of mutual interest.
It was agreed that the next meetings of the JWG and Commerce Secretaries will be held in Bangladesh, at mutually convenient dates.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Cabinet approves establishment of Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund
In pursuance of recently announced Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan stimulus package for ensuring growth in several sectors, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved setting up of Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund  worth Rs. 15000 crore.
Government has been implementing several schemes for incentivizing the investment made by dairy cooperative sector for development of dairy infrastructure. However, government realizes that even MSMEs and Private companies also need to be promoted and incentivized for their involvement in processing and value addition infrastructure. AHIDF would facilitate much needed incentivisation of investments in establishment of such infrastructure for dairy and meat processing and value addition infrastructure and establishment of animal feed plant in the private sector. The eligible beneficiaries under the Scheme would be Farmer Producer Organizations , MSMEs, Section 8 Companies, Private Companies and individual entrepreneur with minimum 10% margin money contribution by them. The balance 90% would be the loan component to be made available by scheduled banks.
Government of India will provide 3% interest subvention to eligible beneficiaries. There will be 2 years moratorium period for principal loan amount and 6 years repayment period thereafter.
Government of India would also set up Credit Guarantee Fund of Rs. 750 crore to be managed by NABARD. Credit guarantee would be provided to those sanctioned projects which are covered under MSME defined ceilings. Guarantee Coverage would be upto 25% of Credit facility of borrower.
There is huge potential waiting to be unlocked in investment through private sector. The INR 15,000 cr. AHIDF and the interest subvention scheme for private investors will ensure availability of capital to meet upfront investment required for these projects and also help enhance overall returns/ pay back for investors. Such investments in processing and value addition infrastructure by eligible beneficiaries would also promote export of these processed and value added commodities.
Since, almost 50-60% of final value of dairy output in India flows back to farmers, therefore, growth in this sector can have significant direct impact on farmer’s income. Size of dairy market and farmers’ realization from milk sales is closely linked with development of organized off-take by cooperative and private dairies. Thus, investment incentivization in AHIDF would not only leverage 7 times private investment but would also motivate farmers to invest more on inputs thereby driving higher productivity leading to increase in farmers income. The measures approved today through AHIDF would also help in direct and indirect livelihood creation for 35 lakh.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 181.56 Cr
More than 34 lakh vaccine doses administered for age group 12-14 years
India's Active caseload declines to 23,913 today; stands at 0.06% of India’s total Positive Cases
1,581 new cases reported in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently stands at 98.74%
Weekly Positivity Rate is presently at 0.39%
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 181.56 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 2,14,38,677 sessions.
COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on 16 March, 2022. So far, more than 34 lakh  adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10403113
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
9991704
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
4369373
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18412260
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17490858
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
6684262
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
3419633
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
56294499
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
35814910
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
553873437
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
460202340
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
202626402
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
183959784
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
126652374
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
114583223
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
10823772
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
2,18,77,407
|
|
Total
|
|
1,81,56,01,944
Following a continuous downward trend, India’s Active Caseload has declined to 23,913 today, constituting 0.06% of the country's total Positive Cases.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.74%. 2,741 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients  is now at 4,24,70,515.
1,581 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The last 24 hours saw a total of 5,68,471 COVID-19 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 78.36 Cr  cumulative tests.
There has been a sustained fall in the weekly and daily Positivity Rates too. Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 0.39% and the Daily Positivity rate is also reported to be 0.28%.
Ministry of Science & Technology
CSIR partners to launch the Nature India Essay Competition 2020
The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research  and Nature India launched the Nature India essay competition 2020 today to provide young and experienced scientists, researchers and authors in India, a platform to share ideas on how societally-impactful science can advance and strengthen the country.
The Nature India essay competition is open for readers aged 25 to 50. The essayists will have an opportunity to draft a compelling narrative with personal anecdotes, emotion and a science-backed story that may become potentially historic in helping shape the roadmap for India’s scientific future. The essays should convey thoughts on the societal impact of science in India in not more than 1000 words. The tone of the essays must be aspirational, with emotions and story-telling. The essays should be reasoned, well-researched, forward-looking and supported by existing science.
On the launch of the essay competition, Director General, CSIR, Dr Shekhar C Mande remarked that the fruits of science must benefit the society and that Nature India essay competition would give an opportunity to Indian scientists to share their perspective and aspirations on this crucial aspect of S&T.
The submitted essays will be judged by a panel of editors, scientists and science communicators. The deadline for completed essays is midnight, India time, on March 9, 2020. The winners will have their essays published in the Nature India annual volume as well as the Nature India blog Indigenus. The top three essays will win a cash prize , a three-year subscription to Nature, trophies and certificates.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Encouraging Organ Transplantation
To improve access to the transplantation for needy patients by promoting deceased organ donation,the Government has put in place National Organ Transplant Programme . Under thisprogramme,an apex level National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation  at New Delhi and Five Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organizations  at Chandigarh, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Guwahati have been set up. The Government has released funds to establish State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organizations  in the States of Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan, Haryana, Goa, Jammu & Kashmir, Odisha and Uttar Pradeshto organize an efficient mechanism for organ and tissue procurement/retrieval to promotedeceased organ and tissue donation.
Further, to improve infrastructure for human organ and tissue retrieval, storage and transplantation in all parts of the country, the Government has:
- Set up National/ Regional Bio-material Centres;
- Provided financial support for establishing new Organ Transplant/retrieval facilities and strengthening of existing Organ Transplant/retrieval facilities.
- Provided training to transplant experts including surgeons, physicians, transplant coordinators, etc.
- Provided financial support for provision of Transplant Coordinators to medical colleges and trauma centres.
NOTTO disseminates relevant information to all concerned. A 24x7 callcentre with a toll free helpline number  has been made operational. A number of activities, for generating awareness and for imparting training to all those associated with transplant activities including doctors and transplant coordinators, such as celebration of Indian Organ Donation Day every year, seminars, workshops, debates, sports events, walkathons, participation in marathons, nukkadNatak, etc. are organized at different places in the country. Audio-visual messages to promote cadaver organ donation are also telecast on Doordarshan and other television channels.
The Minister of State , Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.
Ministry of Power
Powergrid installs Oxygen Plant at District hospital, Jaisalmer
Power Grid Corporation of India Limited , a Maharatna CPSU under Ministry of Power, Government of India installed an Oxygen Plant at District Hospital, Jaisalmer, which was inaugurated by Chief Minister of Rajasthan Shri Ashok Gehlot. The plant has been built at an estimated cost of ₹1.11 crore under CSR initiative. The virtual ceremony was presided by Dr. Raghu Sharma, Hon’ble Minister of Medical and Health, Medical Education, Ayurveda and DIPR, Government of Rajasthan in presence of state ministers, functionaries and officials from POWERGRID.
The installed oxygen plant has an 850 Litre/Min capacity, which will augment public health infrastructure of the state. The District Hospital had been functioning with about 30 oxygen beds, and with POWERGRID’s effort of installation of Oxygen plant, now all 200 beds are equipped with oxygen support, which shall benefit around 10 lakh people living in and around the Jaisalmer district.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Assessment of Forest
The National Forest Policy 1988 envisages to have a minimum of one-third of the total land area of the country under forest or tree cover. Continuous efforts are being made to achieve the goals as envisaged in the National Forest Policy and over the years the Forest and Tree cover of the country has been showing a positive trend. This increase may be attributed to plantation/ afforestation activities, better conservation and protection measures, natural regeneration and enhancement of existing forests.
The Forest Cover reported in India State of Forest Report does not make any distinction between the origin of tree crops  or tree species, and encompasses all types of lands irrespective of their ownership, land use and legal status. Thus all the tree species along with bamboos, fruit bearing trees, coconut palm trees etc. on all the areas including forest, private, community, government or institutional land where coverage is more than one hectare and canopy density is more than 10% are termed as Forest Cover.
As per decision 19/Conference of Parties  9-Kyoto Protocol, the forest can be defined by any country depending upon the capacities and capabilities of the country as follows:-
Forest- Forest is defined structurally on the basis of
- Crown cover percentage: Tree crown cover- 10 to 30% 
- Minimum area of stand: area between 0.05 and 1 hectare  and
- Minimum height of trees: Potential to reach a minimum height at maturity in situ of 2 to 5 m 
India’s definition of forest for India State of Forest Report  purposes has been taken on the basis of above three criteria only and very well accepted by United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change  and Food and Agriculture Organization  for their reporting/communications.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Media Registration for Aero India 2021 begins today
The 13th edition of ‘Aero India 2021’ will be held at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, Bengaluru,  from 03 to 07 February 2021.
Registration for media personnel to visit the exhibition has been opened from today, 02 November 2020. The registration will close on 06 December 2020 and is to be done online on the Aero India 2021 website. There is no fee for media registration, however foreign journalists who wish to cover the event would require to be in possession of a valid ‘J visa’.
The website https://aeroindia.gov.in/media/mediaregcontent has the requisite button for registration of media personnel and would require a valid media identity card number, PIB/State accreditation card No. , Government issued photo ID card No. and a photograph of less than 512 Kb.
The five-day event will combine a major trade exhibition of the aerospace and defence industries. Besides global leaders and big investors in aerospace industry, the show will also see participation by think-tanks from across the world. Aero India will provide a unique opportunity for exchange of information, ideas and new developments in the aviation industry. In addition to giving a fillip to the domestic aviation industry it would further the cause of Make in India.
In Aero India, close to 500 companies, both Indian and foreign, are expected to participate.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package  provides financial assistance of Rs 53,248 crore to around 42 crore poor
Chandigarh, June 3, 2020
Around 42 crore poor people received financial assistance of Rs 53,248 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package . Announced in March by the Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Rs 1.7 lakh crore relief package to help poor cope up with the effects during and after lockdown, provides for free food grains and cash payment to women and poor senior citizens and farmers.
As a result, Rs 16,394 crore front loaded towards payment of the first instalment of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi  to 8.19 crore beneficiaries. Davinder Singh, a farmer from Nangal village in Haryana said he had received Rs 2000 in his account under PM-KISAN. Expressing satisfaction with the scheme, Baljit, another farmer from the same village said that he would use the money received for the purchase of seeds and fertilizer.

https://twitter.com/PIBChandigarh/status/1262688304492720129?s=09 

https://twitter.com/PIBChandigarh/status/1262686638548779008?s=09 
Money has been credited into the women Jan Dhan account holders under PMGKP. In first instalment, Rs 10,029 crore credited to 20.05crore  women Jan Dhan account holders. Second instalment has credited Rs 10,315 crore to 20.62 crore  women Jan Dhan account holders. Total Rs 2,814.5 crore disbursed to about 2.81 crore old age persons, widows and disabled persons in two instalments.
So far 101 Lakh MT of food grains have been lifted by 36 States/UTs for April. 36.93 LMT of foodgrains have been distributed, covering 73.86 crore beneficiaries by 36 States/UTs for April 2020. 32.92 LMT of food grains have been distributed, covering 65.85 crore beneficiaries by 35 States/UTs for May 2020. 3.58 LMT of foodgrains have been distributed, covering 7.16 crore beneficiaries by 17 States/UTs for June 2020. 5.06LMT of Pulses have also been dispatched to various states/UTs. Total 1.91 LMT Pulses have been distributed so far to 17.9 crore household beneficiaries out of 19.4 crore such beneficiaries.
DS/PS/HR
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Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Promotion of Indigenous Drugs and Medicines
The Indian Pharmaceutical industry is the 3rd largest in the world by volume. India exported pharmaceuticals worth Rs. 1,80,551 crore in the financial year 2020-21. India exported Bulk Drugs/ Drug Intermediates worth Rs.32,857 crore in financial year 2020-21.
The Government strives for promotion and development of indigenously manufactured drugs and medicines and to give fillip to indigenous manufacturing.
- In order to make the country Atmanirbhar in pharmaceuticals, the Department of Pharmaceuticals has launched the Production Linked Incentive  Scheme for promotion of domestic manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials / Drug Intermediates  and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients  in India. The total financial outlay of the scheme is Rs. 6,940 crore and the tenure from FY 2020-2021 to FY 2029-30. 49 projects with investment of Rs. 3685.38 crore have already been approved.
- Another Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Pharmaceuticals has been launched with total financial outlay of Rs. 15,000 crore and tenure from FY 2020- 2021 to FY 2028-29. The scheme intends to enhance India’s manufacturing capabilities by increasing investment and production in the sector and contributing to product diversification to high value goods in the pharmaceutical sector. Approval has been granted to 55 companies under this scheme. The eligible drugs under this scheme include APIs among other categories of pharmaceutical products.
- The Department has launched a scheme to provide further support to API pharma companies through providing financial assistance to the States for establishing three Bulk Drug Parks.
- Further, Department provides support to the pharma clusters for creating common infrastructure facilities under Assistance to Pharmaceutical Industry for Common Facilities .
- Pharmaceutical Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme  has also been approved to support SME units in pharmaceutical sector for quality and technology upgradation.
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The information was given by the Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Bhagwanth Khuba in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.